Stockholm Archipelago

The Stockholm archipelago stretches for 80 kilometres east from the city into the Baltic Sea — a vast scattering of islands, reefs, and rocky outcrops that Stockholmers treat as an extension of their back garden. In summer, half the city seems to be on a boat. Ferries run from the city centre (Strömkajen) to dozens of destinations, from the elegant main island of Vaxholm (45 minutes) to the remote outer archipelago (several hours).

Day trips are the easiest option: Vaxholm has a well-preserved wooden town and a 16th-century fortress; Sandhamn is a yachting village with beaches on the outer archipelago; Utö has cycling, beaches, and an iron mine. Overnight trips allow you to get to the quieter outer islands where moose graze on the shoreline and seals haul out on sun-warmed rocks. Rent a kayak or join a guided sailing trip for a different perspective.

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A story
The Stockholm archipelago contains around 30,000 islands, islets, and rocks, making it one of the longest and most complex coastlines in the world. The outermost islands, exposed to the open Baltic, are bare granite worn smooth by ice and sea. The inner islands are green, forested, and dotted with summer cottages painted the traditional Swedish red. The difference between inner and outer islands is so dramatic that they feel like different countries.